Thoughts on medical reform / By a retired practitioner [i.e. John Allen].

  • John Allen
Date:
1833
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Thoughts on medical reform / By a retired practitioner [i.e. John Allen]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    course of education, and undergone the examina- tion prescribed by law, and that the Boards or other public bodies, authorized to grant them, should be competent to discharge the office of examiners, and be composed of persons as far removed as possible from the influence of local prejudice or private interest. More cannot be expected, nor should more be attempted by theState. Ifan individual chooses to confide his health to an ignorant quack, instead of employing a well-informed physician, after the difference has been pointed out to him by public authority, it 1s his own concern. Let him have full liberty to select his medical adviser, as he is at liberty to select his spiritual guide. Ifhe errs in either case, he will be himself the sufferer. To in- terfere with his choice, on pretence of consulting his advantage, would be an infringement of indi- vidual liberty—a species of bondage or tutelage —as presumptuous and uncalled for, as to compel him to entrust to a particular banker the care of his money, or to purchase his beef and mutton from a particular butcher. What individuals can do for themselves, without hazard or mischief to others, - no government should attempt to do for them. The utmost that can be required from the State, in favour of those who have obtained from the public authorities it has established certificates of their proficiency in medicine, is to employno other persons in its immediate service, or in the hospi-
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